The Ukrainian champions' manager, Mircea Lucescu, previously claimed that Fernandinho would cost Mancini €50 million - a figure at which FA Cup finalists would balk - but Fernandinho hopes that a move will materialise and says that his team-mates support his decision.

"[My team-mates] all wish me to move on," Fernandinho told reporters. "They know that the Premier League is a great championship and that Manchester City is a great club, therefore they all wish me to play there and to participate in the division.

"I believe my chances of making the World Cup squad will improve if I join City. My exposure would be better, because Brazil is biased towards the Ukrainian league. What we do here is not recognised in my country.

"Therefore, playing in a division, at a club, that is considered among the best in the world and if I keep performing well, that would help me to be to be taken back to the Brazilian national team.

"There are a lot of people in England with good football knowledge. For that reason, those compliment my skills and motivate me to want to play in a championship like the Premier League."